CFL Toronto Argonauts

Argonauts ink one Canadian and two imports

Published on May 28, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Mississauga - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of LB Jeff Bonelli, DB Derek Combs and OT Jerome Davis.

Canadian-born Bonelli spent five seasons at the University of Windsor where he was team captain. The former Lancer MVP was also named OUA Rookie of the Year in 2000.

Derek Combs, a 2001 NFL 7th Round Draft pick, arrives in Toronto from NFL Europe where he played with the Amsterdam Admirals in 2004. Combs was originally selected by the Oakland Raiders and has since spent time with Tennessee, Miami, Green Bay and Kansas City.

Jerome Davis signs with the Argonauts after most recently splitting time with the San Francisco 49'ers (NFL) and the Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe). A true team player while at Minnesota Davis was honoured with the Paul Geil Award for the player who shows total unselfishness and the most concern for his school.

The Toronto Argonauts Football Club also announced that DL Gabe Robinson has elected to retire from professional football.

Jeffrey Bonelli

Linebacker

6'1'', 230 lbs.

Windsor

Born: September 20, 1981

LaSalle, Ontario

Non-Import

2005: Acquired by Toronto on May 11, 2005.

2004: Led Windsor in Defensive Tackles...Honoured with Demarco Award for Academic & Athletic Excellence...Played in 8 games with Windsor and collected 17 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles and one INT.

2003: Named Lancer Captain...led team with a combined regular season and playoff total 36 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries...won the 2003 DeMarco Award...participated in the annual East-West Bowl Game.

2002: Named Lancer Football's Most Valuable Player...Named Lancer Football Player of the Year.

2001: Had a stellar sophomore season growing into one of Windsor's top players.

2000: Won the Norm Marshall Trophy awarded to the OUA Rookie of the Year.

Personal: Bonelli is an aspiring dentist...Majored in Biochemistry...Has a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Derek Combs

Defensive Back

6'0", 197 lbs

Ohio State

Born: February 28, 1979

Urbancrest, Ohio

Import

1st Year Argos / 1st Year CFL

Acquired: Signed as a free agent with Toronto on February 16, 2005.

2004: Allocated by Green Bay to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe where he made 29 DT, forced one fumble and had 6 passes knocked down, also had 18 kickoff returns for 429 yards...returned to Green Bay and released on June 14.

2003: Traded to the Green Bay Packers (NFL) from Kansas City on April 4 in exchange for future draft picks...Played 8 games and made 6 ST tackles and 1 DT for the Packers.

2002: Assigned to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe where he played in 10 games at defensive back...had seven starts, and registered 19 tackles and recorded eight passes knocked down, one quarterback sack and five special teams tackles, additionally returned 12 kickoffs 282 yards (a 23.5-yard average)...returned to the Oakland Raiders following the NFLE season and played four contests primarily in a special teams role, had 5 kickoff returns for 71 yards (LG 25) ...released by Oakland on October 8 and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) on December 31.

2001: Selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 7th Round (228 Overall) of the NFL Draft...was a final cut on September 2...Signed with Tennessee and Miami practice rosters before being re-signed to Oakland's practice roster on November 7.

College: 2000 Started 11 games as a senior at running back...named Ohio States Team MVP, and Offensive MVP by the players...earned All-Big Ten Conference honourable mention...led the Buckeyes in rushing with 167 carries for 863 yards and 5 TDs...also had 9 receptions for 78 yards...finished second on the team in total offence and all purpose yardage...had best game against Michigan St. when he raced for 153 yards on 31 carries...1999 Played in 10 games and started one...carried the ball 43 times for 173 yards (4.0 yards per carry)...rushed for a season-high (and career-high) 80 yards on 10 carries against Cincinnati...1998 Played in nine games and rushed for 89 yards...scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 9-yard dash against Missouri...learned the ropes playing behind NFL-draftees Michael Wiley and Joe Montgomery...1997 Played in 10 games...rushed 25 times for 82 yards.

Personal: Former NFL'er Tim Spencer declared Combs to be "one of the quickest guys I've seen in my life"...Attended Grove City High School...won Ohio State's Mr. Football Award given annually to the top High School player in the state award previously won by NFL stars Robert Smith and Bobby Hoying...named USA Today's Ohio Player of the Year and AP Division I Offensive Player of the Year as a senior...carried the ball 214 times for 2,149 yards (9.5 per carry) and 24 touchdowns in his final season, leading his team to a 10-0 regular-season mark...Son of Derek and Theresa Combs...majored in sociology in college.

Jerome Davis Offensive Tackle

6'7", 300 lbs.

Minnesota

Born: March 4, 1974

Detroit, Michigan

1st Year Argo / 2nd Year CFL

Import

Acquired: Signed as a free agent with Toronto on May 24, 2005.

2004: Started season with the San Francisco 49'ers (NFL) practice squad... placed on active roster on October 11... appeared in two games.

2003: Signed to San Francisco 49'ers practice squad on September 1...signed to active roster from practice roster on September 16...appeared in two games.

2002: Allocated to Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe (NFLE) on February 6... First overall pick in 2002 NFL Europe League (NFLEL)...Finished second in league with 5.5 sacks, 26 tackles two passes deflected and one forced fumble... earned All-NFL Europe League Team houours... signed to San Francisco 49'ers to practice squad on September 7... was converted to offensive tackle from defensive end while on practice squad... signed to active roster on December 30... appeared in two games.

2001: Signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49'ers on August 7...appeared in four preseason games as DT...recorded 8 tackles...waived by San Francisco on September 3.

2000: Signed by the Denver Broncos (NFL) as a free agent on January 16...waived on August 21... Signed with the Calgary Stampeders (CFL) on October 14 and dressed for 2 games making 3 DT and 2 PKD.

1999: Attended training camp with the Carolina Panthers (NFL)...waived on August 30

1998: Allocated by the Detroit Lions (NFL) to the Frankfurt Galaxy (NFLE)...started 10 games as DT...recorded 22 tackles, two sack, three pass deflections, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble...won NFLEL championship...spent entire 1998 NFL season on IR.

1997: Signed with the Detroit Lions (NFL) to a Practice Roster agreement.

College: Recorded 50 tackles as a senior...played in Blue-Gray All-Star Game...received Paul Giel Award in 1996 for total unselfishness and most concern for University of Minnesota.

Personal: Attended Chadsay High...named All-State, All-City and team MVP in his senior year...named All-City in track and basketball as a senior.

The 2004 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, having celebrated their 130th anniversary in 2003. The Toronto Argonauts have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit. To purchase 2005 season tickets and mini-paks or to get more information about ticket packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. For individual game tickets, please call (416) 872-5000. Full roster details are available at www.argonauts.ca.

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